Many property experts have made confident predictions that the Covid-19 pandemic will reshape the world of office space rentals. So far, their forecasts have been coming true. Many companies are embracing a hybrid work model (part of the team working from an office, part of the team working from home), which reduces the need for sufficiently large workspaces.

According to a Channel News Asia report, 80 per cent of the Singaporean workforce was telecommuting in 2020. And while some companies are beginning to go back to normal operations, there seems to be a growing need for smaller office spaces and an abandonment of large commercial properties.

Is your business making the switch from a big office to a smaller one?

If so, you’ll need to do some adjustments in order to “fit” your everyday operations into a workspace that’s a fraction of what you relied on before.

Clever office interior design can help you optimise a smaller office to make the most of it. Some of the best renovation and space planning strategies can be employed in even the tiniest offices to boost their usability without getting the space crammed.

Prioritise Must-Have Functions

A larger office allows you to dedicate spaces to more activities. When the workspace is limited, however, you’ll need to prioritise.

For example, if you used to have a document storage and filing room before, you may want to consider moving to a digital document management solution. This way, you’ll eliminate the need for having such a facility on premises.

The same applies to the workspaces. Some people can easily complete all of their professional responsibilities from home. They’ll simply need to come in for a meeting and collaboration session. As a result, you can reduce the number of workstations to cover solely essential functions.

We also recommend the creation of multi-purpose spaces within small offices. The same space could be used as a meeting and brainstorming room, as well as a chill-out corner. Smart furniture and modular accessories provide amazing opportunities to execute such ideas and give every part of a small office more than a single function.

Smart Storage Solutions

Storage cabinets, filing cabinets and shelving occupy a lot of space in every Singaporean office.

Luckily, there are innovative office interior design solutions you can employ to reduce the amount of space required to accommodate everyday essentials and documentation.

Built-in storage units work really well within small spaces. The same applies to movable partitions that double as storage shelving. Such accessories can be used to personalise the office space while also allowing for effective storage.

A final idea you may want to consider is going vertical instead of horizontal.

Seek out parts of the wall (and even the ceiling) that cannot be utilised in other ways and that can house a storage unit. This way, you can easily create order without taking up any usable space in your brand new small office.

Choose Interior Design Hacks That Create the Illusion of More Space

Research shows that people who feel overpowered by their office space are less productive. Airy, spacious accommodations create the best conditions for optimal performance.

Various interior design choices create the illusion of more space, even if your brand new office is tiny.

Opening up large windows and allowing natural light to come inside the office will make it look much larger. Natural light, especially in combination with light paint colours (white, beige, soft yellows) create a sense of cheerfulness. People will breathe easily in such rooms and they’ll feel right at home.

The strategic placement of mirrors or mirrored decorative tiles is another ingenious solution. Mirrors reflect light and they also create a depth of space. As a result, the optical illusion of more space will be quite impressive.

Needless to say, various other interior design tricks can be employed to create the illusion of space. If you’re not confident about the best approach to undertake, do seek out professional assistance with the office renovation project.

The Right Selection of Furniture Will Make a Difference

Office furniture is available in all shapes and sizes. For a small office, you need streamlined and ergonomic choices. Employing some more unorthodox solutions will also make sense, depending on the layout.

Taller furniture pieces create the illusion of more space. Choose long-legged chairs and even standing work stations in your attempts to create a comfortable office without the sense of clutter.

Wall-mounted furniture can also work really well into smaller office spaces.

Floating office desks and other pieces that utilise every nook and cranny can transform just about every corner of the office. While such furniture pieces will usually have to be custom-made, they will add a lot of value to the office. Since customisation is on the table, you’ll have the freedom to play with dimensions and shapes, creating the perfect flow and sense of order.

If you partner up with experienced professionals like the SORDC office interior design and renovation company, you’ll benefit from an array of office system furniture and high quality custom solutions that will find their perfect home within your smaller office space.

Don’t hesitate to contact SORDC right now and benefit from a no-obligations first consultation. We’d be honoured to help you make the transition to a smaller office space and we can ensure a smooth outcome every single time.